Saturday, 21 July 2012

How To Be The Best Parent You Can Be

Being a parent is one of the most difficult responsibilities that anyone can take on. This article includes advice for boosting both your skills and your confidence as a parent. You can improve your parenting skills.

Try to establish and adhere to a routine each night when it is time to get your child ready for bed. Establishing a bedtime routine allows your child to get his mind ready to go to bed and get to sleep. When he changes into his pajamas, brushes his teeth, and listens to a story, he knows that sleeping will be next. If your child understands and expects what is coming next, he won't give you any resistance.

Stay away from harmful words while disciplining your child, as this can be very hurtful. If you put your child down, it might have a negative effect on his behavior. You will want to, instead, use encouraging, positive words to guide him to better behavior.

Model a healthy diet by eating a variety of healthy choices including whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Your kids will learn from your example and follow you in choosing healthy foods over empty calories.

When your child is three feet tall or develops the ability to climb out of the crib, it is time to switch to a bed made for toddlers. This can be a scary change; so do what you can to make it fun, such as choosing bedding with characters they love.

Do not use negative words when scolding your child. This type of verbal lashing out is not beneficial to your child's behavior or attitude. Try instead to incorporate encouraging vocabulary into your speech to reinforce positive behaviors.

Choose your fights. Instead of making a big deal out of small offenses, try to focus on the more important things to make your points. Children do need structure, but too much structure can be stifling.

When dealing with a child's difficult behavior, always use positive reinforcement. Parents must remember that often, kids are dealing with many emotions and do not understand how to express them in a proper way. Teaching them how to articulate those feelings properly is the ideal way to support them.

Establishing clear rules stated in positive language for family members to follow can be quite helpful in reducing conflict and helping your kids get along. For instance, instead of saying "no hitting" as a rule, you can reposition it as "always be gentle when touching".

Even though it is important to spend plenty of time with your kids, take time to relax alone. This allows you to retain your individuality along with your identity as a parent.

When potty training a toddler, be sure you walk him to the "potty" regularly. The child might not know how to let you know when they have to use the restroom, and sometimes there is not enough time and they will have an accident. You can minimize these accidents by taking your child in the bathroom for a try frequently. This will remind him to tell you when he has to go.

You should not spend a lot of money on nursing equipment right before you have your baby. All the necessary baby items, such as a crib, blanket or changing table, can be bought at department stores like a K-Mart or Walmart for much cheaper while still giving you high quality. Also, consider asking friends and family members with children if they have old baby items that they no longer need.

Learn how to parent your toddler. Toddlers are typically very selfish, so help them learn how to take turns. If your child is being especially stubborn, it may warrant a few minutes in time-out.

Learn about the various stages of maturity and milestones before your children start living them. You can never think you know too much; you can always learn more.

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